When you're the only athlete from your school at the state track and field meet, the pressure is on. But for Hawley's Camden Ables, that spotlight was exactly where he belonged.
On Friday at Mike A. Meyers Stadium in Austin, the junior discus thrower delivered a gold-medal performance that his family—and his school—won't soon forget. His winning Class 2A throw traveled 172 feet, three inches, etching his name among the state's best.
"At first I was nervous for sure," Ables admitted. "But I said a quick little prayer before I threw, and everything turned out as it should."
It wasn't an easy path to the top of the podium. Ables struggled early, faulting on three of his first four attempts. After four throws, he sat in eighth place with just one qualifying mark of 143-8—far from his school-record 171-9 that won him the Region II title.
Then, on his fifth attempt, everything clicked.
"I can normally feel how the throw is going to be from the start," Ables explained. "If the back of my throw fits well, then everything goes well. I can feel it as soon as I release it—on that one, I kinda just had that feeling."
His fifth throw not only secured the gold but was followed by a 170-2 on his final attempt—still three feet ahead of the second-place finisher.
This gold medal continues a proud family tradition. Camden's mom, Andrea, won gold at Canyon High School in 1998. His dad, Mitch, and brother, Keagan, both claimed gold in 2022. Now Camden has his own state championship to add to the collection.
"Man, it feels great to add another medal to the family," he said. "It's always been on my mind since I got second last year—and I plan on going for it again next year."
Looking ahead, Camden has his sights set on even bigger numbers—he's aiming to throw over 200 feet next season. But first, the 6-foot-5, 235-pound tight end has his sights set on the football field, where he's already gaining attention from college recruiters.
For now, though, the gold medal around his neck is a reminder that hard work, faith, and family legacy can carry you a long way—172 feet and three inches, to be exact.